Description: This editorial notes how change is constant in the world around us and that the SOA has adopted a theme of change. Articles in this issue of The Actuary, which are all related to change, are summarized.

Description: This article provides questions and answers about the Society of Actuaries Continuing Professional Development 'CPD' Requirement Exposure Draft.

Description: Article from Pension Section News, May 2007, No. 64 on the pension reform in Jamaica. The government and private sector of Jamaica have been working hard to enable people who have worked a full career to receive pensions that can at least provide for minimum living requirements in their golden years.

Description: This article summarizes a session at a recent SOA meeting that featured numerous short presentations on underwriting ideas. The focus was on areas such as, process improvement, improved underwriting information, middle market penetration, and organizational issues.

Description: This article examines the dynamic environment of the health care system in the United States and the challenges facing the health actuary.

Description: Other Post Employment Benefits OPEB deals with the promise of providing coverage for post employment non-pension benefits such as health care and life insurance. This article focuses on the recent implementation of GASB No. 43 and 45 which requires public entities to value and recognize the liability of post employment non-pension benefits.

Description: This article was written in June 2008, prior to the financial crisis in the fall of 2008. It discusses the very complicated new world of financial insturments and derivatives and the risks that there may be in light of no strong capital requirements, no control on leverage and the high derivative volume.

Description: This is a review of 'Restructuring Retirement Risks,' a collection of papers that examines retirement risks, edited by David Blitzstein, Olivia Mitchell, and Stephen Utkus. The papers, which are a must–read for serious students of retirement systems and a good introduction for those not as familiar with the issues, explore the stresses being placed on those systems and ever–increasing uncertainty as Baby Boomers begin to move into retirement.

Description: The rapid economic development of Asia has ushered in profound lifestyle changes, particularly in urban centers. Increased disposable income, urbanization, and the proliferation of convenient food services have contributed to dietary habits associated with elevated health risks. Among these, insulin resistance (IR)—a metabolic condition linked to diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases—has emerged as a critical yet underrecognized threat. IR is also strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. For life and health insurers operating in markets such as Greater China and Southeast Asia, traditional underwriting methods face significant challenges in accurately assessing these evolving risks. This article investigates the limitations of conventional approaches and explores the potential of continuous underwriting methodologies to better align risk assessment with dynamic lifestyle factors.

Description: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into actuarial practice has accelerated dramatically in recent years, potentially transforming how actuaries approach traditional tasks and creating new opportunities for professional growth. This evolution has generated significant enthusiasm about increased efficiency, deeper analytical capabilities, and novel insights that were previously unattainable. Simultaneously, it has raised legitimate concerns about skill obsolescence, appropriate governance, control limitations, and the changing nature of actuarial judgement in an AI-augmented environment. While much has been written about the theoretical possibilities of AI in insurance and risk management, there remains a gap in our collective understanding: the actual, day-to-day experiences of practicing actuaries as they navigate this technological shift. There is an interest in learning from others’ experiences in implementing AI tools, realizing benefits, encountering challenges, and understanding how AI is altering actuarial workflow.